Door check



May 11 1954 v F. w. BEYER 2,677,851

DOOR CHECK Filed Jan. 22, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

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May 11, 1954 Filed Jan. 22, 1949 F. w. BEYER DOOR cmzcx 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

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Patented May 11, 1954 DOOR CHECK Frederick W. Beyer, Detroit, Mich., assignor to National Stamping Company, a corporation of Michigan Application January 22, 1949, Serial No. 72,110

11 Claims.

This invention relates to a device for checking the opening movement of a hinged door and for releasably retaining the door in an open position.

It is an object of this invention to provide a device of the aforementioned type which is simple in construction, economical in manufacture, and durable in use.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a device of the aforementioned type which includes only a torsion spring arm, carrying a cushioning element on one end thereof and a retaining plate, thereby eliminating the use of spring, ball, socket, or other various types of checking elements, conventionally employed, which must :be assembled with either the arm or retaining plate.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Figure 1 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view through a, swinging door, supporting hinge pillar therefor, and door check device of this invention, showing the arrangement of the parts when the door is in its open position;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1, taken along the line 2-2 thereof;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1, taken along the line 3-3 thereof;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the door check arm;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the door check retainer plate;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view through a swinging door, supporting hinge pillar therefor, and a further embodiment of the door check device of this invention, showing the arrangement of parts when the door is in its open position;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 6, taken along the line 1'! thereof;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 6, taken along the line 88 thereof;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the retainer member which is sleeved on the door check arm of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6; and

Fig. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the door check retainer plate of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6.

It will be appreciated that in the broad aspects of this invention the door check arm may be connected to any suitable part of a door member,

or its adjacent supporting member, and the retainer means may be connected to or form a part of either of such members. For example, the retainer means may be formed in one of the butt plates of a door hinge and the arm connected to the other butt plate of the hinge. However, in the more limited aspects of the invention, as shown in the drawings, it will be seen that in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1-5, the door check device includes a, torsion spring arm I, which is preferably made of spring steel, or the like. One end of the arm 1 is pivotally but nonflexibly connected to a vehicle door member 9 by means of a bracket II and a pivot pin IS. The door 9 is hingedly connected in a conventional manner at l5 to a vehicle body supporting member or pillar IT. A retaining device I9 is disposed within the pillar I! and includes a bracket 2|, which is secured, in any conventional manner, to the inner face of the outer wall of the pillar at 23, and a retainer plate 25, which is secured to the bracket 2| inwardly of the outer wall of the pillar by any suitable means such as screws 27, which extend through spaced apertures 29 in the plate.

The inner end of the arm 1 extends through an opening 3| in the outer wall of the pillar l1, through an opening 33 in the bracket 2| and 25, and is positioned on the arm I by means of a washer 39 and cotter pin 4|. The cushioning element 31 is adapted to engage the inner face of the retainer plate and limit the maximum extent to which the door may be opened.

Suitable detent means are provided on the arm 7, adjacent the inner end thereof, and on the retainer plate 25, in order to aid in checking detents on either the arm 1, retainer plate 25, or both, to become engaged and releasably retain of said arm, which extends vertically upwardly from the upper edge of the arm, and an integral laterally offset portion 45 which is disposed inwardly of the cam 43 and is offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of the arm 1 and the cam 43 so as to form a shoulder or detent portion 3-5. The above described construction gives the detent 42 a configuration best illustrated in Figure 3 which renders it substantially rigid and capable of effecting the hereinafter described torsional loading and twisting of the arm l. The offset portion 555 is located adjacent to the outer end of the cushioning element 3's and cooperates with the Washer 35 and cotter pin 41 to retain the cushioning element against movement on the arm. The retainer plate is provided adjacent the upper end (as viewed in Fig. 5) of one side of the guide slot 35, with a laterally inwardly projecting detent 41, having a cam surface 43 on the inner face thereof. The slot is laterally enlarged at 49 opposite the inwardly projeciing detent 41, for a reason which will hereinafter appear.

When the door 9 is opened, the outer portion of the arm 1 moves through the guide slot 35 in the retainer plate until the arm cam 53 contacts the retainer plate cam surface 38. When these cam surfaces contact each other, during the door opening operation, the arm 5, the outer end of which is non-flexibly connected to the door, will be torsionally loaded and will twist as the arm cam 43 rides over the retainer plate cam surface L55. When the arm cam 63 passes beyond the plate cam surface it, the offset portion of the arm moves into the enlarged portion 19 of the guide slot and the torsion spring arm I will unwind to cause the offset portion to move into engagement with the retainer plate detent M. The arm cam 43 and the shoulder or detent portion #55 will then be disposed outwardly of and in engagement with the outer face of the plate detent 4'5. The opening movement of the door is of course, checked by the engagement of the arm cushioning element 3? with the inner face of the retainer plate 25, such cushioning element constituting a stop means, and as the detent 55 of the arm is engaging the detent of the retainer plate, the arm is releasably held against movement relative to the retainer plate and the pillar l1.

When it is desired to close the door, manual force is exerted thereon, in the usual manner, and the reverse of the action previously described will occur. That is, the door arm will be wound when the arm detent 46 and cam 43 ride over the retainer plate detent 41 and after the detents have moved out of engagement, the torsion spring arm 'i will unwind. The arm will then ride in the retainer plate guide slot 35, until the door is closed.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 6 through 10, a torsion spring arm 53 which is generally similar to the arm 1 previously described, has one end thereof connected to the vehicle door member 9, as previously described. A retaining device 55 is disposed within the pillar l1 and includes a bracket 51 which is secured in any conventional manner to the inner face of the outer wall of the pillar, and a retainer plate 53, which is secured to the bracket 51 inwardly of the outer Wall of the pillar, by any suitable means. The inner end of the arm 53 extends through the opening 3! in the outer wall of the pillar, through an opening El in the bracket and through a guide slot 63 in the retainer plate 59.

Detent means are provided adjacent the inner end of the torsion arm for checking the opening movement of the door with respect to the pillar and for releasably retaining the door in its open position. The detent means comprises a member 65 which includes a main circular body portion S! and an integral leg or projection 69 which extends at a right angle from the periphery of the main body portion 61. The main body portion 61 is provided with a central elongated slot 1|, so that the member can be sleeved on the torsion arm 53. The torsion arm 53 is provided, adjacent the inner end thereof, with an enlarged head I3, and adjacent the head 13 the arm is widened at 15 so that when the member 55 is positioned on the arm 53, as shown in Fig. 6, it will be held in engagement with the head I3 by means of a press'fit connection with the widened arm portion 15. A cushioning element 11 is sleeved on the arm 53 and abuts the outer face of the main body portion 61 of the member (55 and is adapted to engage the inner face of the retainer plate 59 and limit the maximum extent to which the door may be opened. It will be noted that the leg or projection 59 of member 55 is spaced laterally outwardly of the arm 53 and cushioning element 11'.

A detent 19 is provided adjacent the outer end of the leg or projection 69 which includes an outwardly facing cam portion BI, and a shoulder or detent portion 83 which is disposed inwardly of the cam 8| and is laterally offset with respect to the adjacent edge of the leg 69. The retainer plate 59 is provided with detent means which includes a notch or recess 85, extending inwardly from one edge of the plate, and radiused side walls 87! of the recess 85 which provide cam surfaces which are adapted to engage and co-operate with the leg 6-3 of the detent member 65. It should at this time be noted that the upperend (as viewed in Fig. 10) of the retainer plate guide slot 63 is laterally enlarged for a reason which will hereinafter appear.

When the door 9 is opened the outer portion of the arm 53 moves through the retainer plate guide slot 53 until the cam 8| of. the arm member 65 contacts one of the cams 87 adjacent the retainer plate notch or recess 55. When these cam surfaces contact each other, during the door opening operation, the arm 53, the outerend of which is non-flexibly connected to the door, will be torsionally loaded and will twist as the arm cam 8| rides over the retainer plate cam 81. The enlargement of one end of the retainer plate guide slot 63, allows the arm53 to twist relative to the retainer plate. When the arm cam 8! and the detent or shoulder 83 pass beyond the. plate cam surface 81, the torsion spring arm 53 will unwind to releasably retain the shoulder or detent 83 in engagement with the retainer plate detent. That is, the shoulder 83 will be disposed against the outer faceof the retainer plat 59, adjacent to the recess or notch 85. The opening movement of the door is, of course, checkedby the engagement of the arm cushioning element T1 with the inner face of the retainer plate 59, such cushioning element constituting a stop means, and as the detent portion83 of the arm is engaging the detent portion of the retainer plate, the arm is releasably held against movement relative to the retainer plate and the pillar [1.

When it is desired to close the door, manual force is exerted thereon in the usual manner and the reverse of the action previously described will occur. That is, the torsion arm 53 willbe wound when the arm detent portion 83 and cam portion 8| ride over the retainer plate cam and detent portions and afterv the detentshave moved of this invention are relatively simple in construceliminated, thus reducing the manufacturing It will also be appreciated that the cam and detent arrangement of these mechanisms will releasably retain the door in its open position until it is desired to manually close the same, and will cooperate with the cushioning element to efficiently and easily check the opening of the door.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for releasably retaining in an open position a door member hingedly supported on a supporting member, including a torsion spring having one end thereof adapted to be secured to one of said members, a rigid, substantially nondeformable detent on said torsion spring adjacent the opposite end thereof, a retaining device adapted to be rigidly secured to the other member and including a rigid, substantially nondeformable detent adapted to contact said first named detent and urge the latter into releasable engagement therewith by torsionally loading said spring, so that the door member will be releasably retained in an open position, the door being closable by the exertion of a force in a direction tending to move said detents away from each other, which will cause the first named detent to contact the retaining device detent and torsionally load said spring so that the detents can move out of engagement with each other.

2. A device for releasably retaining in an open position a door member hingedly supported on a supporting member, including a torsion spring arm having one end thereof adapted to be connected to one of said members, a cam like detent carried by said arm adjacent the opposite end thereof, a retaining device adapted to be secured to the other member and including a plate having a guide slot therein for the sliding reception of said arm, a cam like detent associated with said plate and adapted to contact the detent on said arm and urge the latter into engagement therewith by torsionally loading said arm until the detents engage, the detents being releasable through torsionally loading said arm in the opposite direction, each of said camlike detents having oppositely facing camming surfaces which upon engagement cause a camming action in either the engagement or disengagement movement to torsionally load said arm.

3. A device for releasably retaining in an open position a door member hingedly supported on a supporting member, including a torsion spring arm having one end thereof adapted to be secured to one of said members, a cam detent carried by said arm adjacent the opposite end thereof, which is laterally offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of said arm, and has oppositely facing camming surfaces, a retaining device adapted to be secured to the other member, a cam detent on said device which is adapted to contact said arm cam detent and cam the latter into engagement therewith or disengagement therefrom by torsionally loading said arm, whereby to releasably retain the door in an open position.

4. A device for releasably retaining in an open position a door member hingedly supported on a supporting member, including a torsion spring arm having one end thereof adapted to be conof, detent means respect to said cam means, said detent means and said cam means having oppositely facing .cam

surfaces, a retaining device secured to the other member and including a plate having a guide slot therein for the reception of said arm, a cam detent carried by said plate adjacent said slot and releasably retain the door in an open position until a predetermined force is exerted tending to move said detents away from each other a supporting member, including a torsion spring arm having one end thereof adapted to be connected to one of said members, cam means carof said arm, a cam carried by said plate and projecting inwardly from one edge of said slot adjacent one end thereof adapted to engage said wardly projecting plate cam and releasably remember hingedly supported on a supporting member, including a torsion spring arm having one end thereof adapted to be connected to one of said members, cam means carried by said arm adjacent the opposite end thereof, a detent carried by said arm adjacent said cam means and laterally offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of said arm and with respect to said cam means, said arm detent and said cam means having oppositely facing cam surfaces, a retaining device adapted to be secured to the other member and including a plate portion having a guide slot therein, for the reception of said arm, a cam carried by said plate and projecting inwardly from one edge of said slot adjacent one end thereof adapted to engage said arm cam means and torsionally load said arm to permit said arm detent to engage over said inwardly cam.

7. A device for releasably retaining in an open position a door member hingedly supported on a supporting member, including a torsion spring arm having one end thereof adapted to be conposed on said arm adjacent the opposite end thereof, including detent means laterally spaced from saidarm, a retaining device adapted to be secured to the other member and including a plate portion having a guide slot therein for the reception'of said arm, and detent means on said plate portion disposed in spaced relationship to said guide slot, adapted" to engage said arm detent means and torsionally load said arm to permit said arm detent means to engage said plate detent and releasably retain a door in an open position.

8. A device for releasably retaining in an open position a door member hingedly supported on a supporting member, including a torsion'spring arm having one end thereof adapted to be connected to one of said members, a member disposedon said arm adjacent the opposite end thereof, said member including a projection extending longitudinally with respect to, and laterally spaced from said torsion arm, detent means adjacent one end of said projection, and a retaining device adapted to be secured to the other member and including a plate portion having a guide slot herein for the reception of said arm, said. plate portion having an inwardly projecting recess adjacent one edge thereof, one edge of said recess being adapted-to engage said arm detent means and torsionally load said arm to permitsaid arm detent means to engage over said plate recess and releasably retain a door in an open position.

9. A torsion spring arm construction for releasably retaining a door member in an open position, including a torsion spring arm member, a member Sleeved on said arm and disposed adjacent one-end thereof, said member including a longitudinally extending portion laterally spaced from said arm, and detent means on said longitudinally extending portion adjacent one end thereof.

10. A device for releasably retaining in an open position a door member hingedly supported on a supporting member including a torsion spring element having one end thereof adapted to be connectedto one of said members, a retaining element adapted'to be rigidly connected to the other member, rigid substantially non-deformable cooperating cam means carried by said elements contacting each other upon relative predetermined movement ofsaid elements soas to torsionally load said spring element, a stop means carried by at least one of said elements engageable with the other of said elements after said torsional loading so as to prohibit opening movement of the door member beyond a predetermined point, and rigid substantially non-deformable cooperating detents carried by said elements and engageable with each other after the torsional loading so as to restrain relative movement in the closing direction of the door member until a predetermined force is applied to cause said cooperating cam means totorsionally' load said torsion spring element and permit said detents to move out of engagement with each other.

11. A device for releasably retaining in an open position a door member hingedly supported on a supporting member including a torsion spring element having one end thereof adapted to be connected to one of said members, a'retaining element adapted to be secured to the other member, rigid substantially non-deformable cam means on one of said elements which is laterally offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of said torsion spring and which includes tWo portions, one contacting the retaining element upon the opening movement of the door member so as to torsionally load said spring element and the other contacting the retaining element upon the closing movement of the door member so as to torsionally load said spring element, stop means carried by at least one of said elements engageable with the other of said elements after torsional loading so as to prohibit opening movement of the door member beyond a predetermined point, the door member thus being releasably retained between the said stop means and the cam means until a predetermined force is applied in said closing direction to cause said cam means to torsionally loadsaid spring element and permit said cam means to move out of engagement with the retaining element.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,072,257 Greve Mar. -2, 1937 2,219,822 Schonitzer Oct. 29, 1940 2,291,412 Schonitzer July 28,-1942 2,461,426 King Feb. 8, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 36l,143 Great Britain Nov. 19, 1931 

